I want to enlist...but my family isn't thrilled...HELP?

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

So, I want to enlist as a Navy Diver..I've talked to recruiters, i'd be leaving for boot around decemeber of 2012...but the thing is..i've brought them SO much info, i've been looking into this for MONTHS...at LEAST 8 months..I want to do this..this is EXACTLY what I want..they know of the benifits, and college, and all of that..but they aren't very encouraging...They kinda just say "okay"..

Also..my friends keep saying it's a waste of my life..and time....is there any ideas on how to get a little bit of support??

[ChrisAmo]

Hey! Whose life is it anyway?! Pay no attention to so-called friends who tell you it's a waste of your time and life...nothing could be further from the truth. They're probably jealous because they don't have the guts to do what you're going to do. As for you family, is it possible they think you're not really serious about this and are expecting you to back out at some point? Stick to your guns, if you really want this you should go for it, no matter what other people say.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

I think it truly is that they think I will back out:/
I don't think they know quite how serious I am about it....
I don't see how carrying an ASVAB book around reading it daily,
carrying around papers about my job that I want, carrying a piece of paper with
navy time, sailors creed, anchors aweigh, and the 11 general orders just so I can memorize them,
or working out daily and talking to my recruiter just so i am ready.
Also getting set up to graduate early so I can leave sooner....
I don't see how they think i'm NOT serious.

[navytwins]

If you make life decisions to make other people happy - you will be one un-happy in the long run. If you have the confidence that this is the best choice for you then you need to follow through with it. If you don't several years down the road you will regret it. This is your future not anyone else's. Live it for yourself. Just be well informed on this journey. Research your choice and be prepared. My daughter is 18 years old and going through the rescue swimmer program. She spent months preparing and researching this career choice. She joined the Navy with confience. Shes thrilled with her choice. Good luck to you. The only thing you can do is show that you know what you are doing hopefully everyone will come around and support you. Good luck to you

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Thank you, so much! This is definitely what i'm doing...And I want to go for either AIRR, or ND(navy diver)
I couldn't pull a single idea from my mind about anything i'd rather do....

[Craig]

Nicole,
I can only assume, like most, it's your mom that has the apprehending of you joining.

Obviously joining the Navy is very important to you, and once your mom sees that, she will support you whether or not she wants you to go. Now if she doesn't......

We can make all kinds of assumptions about why your mom doesn't want you to join, but you need to ask her outright and deal with all her specific objections and concerns, and I would suggest asking your recruiter to help you with this.

So here's my advice:

1. Talk about the Navy with your mom every day for a few days. Talk mainly about why she doesn't want you to join, and keep stressing that joining the Navy is very important to you. Try your best to convince her on your own, but don't count on it.

2. Tell your recruiter you want to set up a "home visit" to talk to your mom, who is the main reason why you are not joining right there on the spot. Ask which recruiter is the best at using "PSS" (Professional Selling Skill) and have him or her do the home visit. It's their job to help your family understand why you want to join.

3. Make sure you tell your mom about the home visit and if she protests, just tell her you already set it up and it would be important to you for her to just sit down and talk to the recruiter. Make sure your dad is there too if possible. I know you don't want to make her unhappy, but even though she may be unhappy that the recruiter is coming over, the intent is that she will be happy that you are joining.

4. During the home visit with the recruiter, just be open and honest about why you want to join. The recruiter will ask your mom a lot of questions and talk to her, hopefully letting her see that joining the Navy is a good thing for you. Most of the time, a parent's concerns are based on misinformation, and if that's the case, the recruiter will identify those concerns and show your mom a more accurate picture.

At this point, one of two things will happen: Your mom will come around and give you her blessing, or she'll throw the recruiter out of his house and stick to her opinion. Don't be afraid to have multiple meetings with your mom and recruiter. You are not in a rush! Take your time and give your mom all the information she needs to try and understand where you are coming from.

Now, if she doesn't come around, I say join the Navy anyway. She won't like it, but when she goes to your Boot Camp graduation and sees you in your uniform, and sees how happy you are, and sees how happy and proud the hundreds of other sailors and families are, she would have to be a very cold person to not come around then.

I hope that helps, and let us know how it goes!

As far as your friends.
Both College, and the Navy are 4 years (alot of times 5 years long). So as far as time is concerned, they are both a wash.

But after 4 years with the Navy you will leave with zero (0) education cost. The Navy will not only pay for all of your
education while in, but they will give you education money once you get out to continue your advance Masters, or Doctorates degree. Should you decide not to use it, then you can pass it along to your children.

You will also have the experience in whatever job you will be doing. Most of the batte in the civilian world if no one wants to hire you because you have no experience. Not only will the Navy give you the experience, but you will also become a leader.

You will get BAH (Housing), my son make $3000 per month in Hawaii for housing. That's $36K per year that these fools are not figuring in.
Medical - man, medical cost most families $4K or more per year. Then they have to pay dedectable.
Dental - Your and your family is free, how much does this cost your college friends?
BAS (Food allowance) - Yep, yet again we get paid extra for food. Do they?
Gym - Our gyms are state of the art. They are awesome. We don't pay for them.
Vision - Yep free vision
30 days of vacation - Do you parents or anyone you know get 30 days vacation a year? Even someone with 30 years in a civilain company doesn't.
Career Sea Pay - More money again that people fail to take into consideration.
Clothing Maintenance Allowance - Do civilian companies pay for your uniforms? Nope....
Governement subsidized grocery store (commissary) - Our grocery stores are non-profit. We get things extremely cheap. 1 Gallon of milk in Hawaii in the economy = $11, and at the commissary $2.
Extremely cheap life insurance ($20 for $200K worth of coverage)
Legal (notaries, advise) - Free
Tax free shopping (Exchange)
Annual Cost of Living adjustments (~3.5%)
Moving expenses
You can retire at age 38.... Get paid $1800mo for life
Burial for life for you and spouse ($10K x 2), plus child if under 21
Free or near free heath benefits for life (you and spouse, and children under 21 or 23 of going to college)
VA home loans

The list just goes on and on. I just love hammering people that fail to realize what we truly get. Yes, college might be for some, but you will be so much ahead if you joined......

Man, I should be a recruiter huh?

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

HAHAH, Craig, you should be a recruiter, a self employed one at the least!!

I've tried time and time again explaining to friends, everything YOU pay for...I get PAID for.
School? Get paid for.
School for them? They haven't even started their lives yet and are struggling to make payments.

That's a good idea with the home visit, It's my grandma though, my mom passed when I was 3, and my dad disowned me, so she's my caretaker. She's the tough cookie here!! Lol.
Thank you for all the help and support..all of you guys are wonderful!

[Craig]

The orginal post from Hoppi that was located here was deleted....Nicole was responding to her (Hoppi) rude comments....

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

Okay, I appreciate the fact that you're trying to help out, but to be honest, some of the comments aren't so much needed.
No, I expect NO ONE to hold my hand, I'm asking for ways that other people may have used to get family to come around. Ways I may not have thought of. You don't just up and do something that your family disapproves of, it's called respect, and I respect them greatly. Yes, I will end up joining the Navy reguardless of what they do, or do not approve of. But you don't just up and do it without giving it your best effort to help them understand.

Craig was sharing what he's been told, or knows, and that's all he could do, and I appreciate that he did share what he was told/knows.

I am doing what is best for me, and if you don't like that i'm asking for opinions on other ways to get them to come around, then don't comment on it.

Basically saying, the rude comments aren't needed.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

I never once said that I couldn't handle the fact of you being blunt.
I appreciate that, But when you said "You already said that your parents know all the benfits, etc... Stop wasting your breath and just do what you want! If you are looking for someone to hold your hand while you go do everything it isn't going to happen. Guess what it doesn't happen while you are in the USN either...so just get used to it now and do what is best for you." THAT isn't being blunt, that is being outright rude. "stop wasting your breath", if you don't like the post, don't comment it, that's all that's being simply said.

[Craig]

The orginal post by Hoppi was located here, but was deleted. Nicole was responding to her (Hoppi) rude comments.

[nicole~a sailors girl(:]

My "little attitude" you don't know me so you WOULDN'T know my attitude, just wait, as you say "i'll have a fun time in bootcamp", i will, because it will be easy, because i'll be ready.

[Craig]

The orginal posts from Hoppi was deleted.... Nicole response here was in response to rude comments left by Hoppi.